About Me#

Hello! I’m Stefan, a statistician who loves programming, based in South Africa. I’m currently at Nelson Mandela University, where I combine my passion for statistical modeling with practical programming skills to turn data into actionable insights.

Professional Focus#

My work centers around the intersection of statistics, data science, and software development. I’m particularly passionate about:

  • Statistical Modeling: Developing robust models for complex data problems
  • Volatility Forecasting: Working on advanced forecasting models for financial and economic data
  • Machine Learning: Applying ML techniques to solve real-world statistical challenges
  • Data Science: Extracting meaningful insights from complex datasets

Technical Expertise#

I work primarily with:

  • Python: My go-to language for data science, machine learning, and general programming
  • R: Essential for statistical analysis and modeling
  • PyTorch: Currently learning and applying for deep learning projects
  • Data Science Stack: Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn, Jupyter

Current Projects & Interests#

I’m always working on something interesting. Some of my current focus areas include:

  • Developing volatility forecasting models
  • Creating tools for academic and research workflows
  • Building practical applications that bridge statistics and software engineering
  • Contributing to open source projects in the data science community

Notable Projects#

Some projects I’ve worked on include:

  • R Markdown Templates for NMU: Making academic writing more streamlined
  • Moodle Extract Tool: Simplifying course backup file management
  • Webcam OCR: Python application with virtual camera support for text recognition

What Drives Me#

I believe that statistics and programming, when combined thoughtfully, can solve incredibly complex problems. Whether it’s forecasting market volatility, extracting insights from messy data, or building tools that make other researchers more productive, I’m motivated by the potential to make a real impact through code and analysis.

Beyond the Code#

When I’m not deep in data or writing code, I enjoy:

  • Exploring new statistical methodologies and their practical applications
  • Contributing to open source projects
  • Learning about emerging technologies in the data science space
  • Sharing knowledge and collaborating with fellow data enthusiasts

Let’s Connect#

I’m always interested in connecting with fellow statisticians, data scientists, programmers, and anyone passionate about using data to solve interesting problems. Whether you want to discuss a statistical challenge, collaborate on a project, or just share ideas, I’d love to hear from you.

Feel free to reach out:

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